Authorities have reported that a man confessed to igniting a fire at a Nebraska Walmart while it was teeming with customers and employees.

The individual, identified as 20-year-old William Eckman, now faces charges that include first-degree arson, making terroristic threats, and causing substantial property damage exceeding $5,000. These charges were detailed by several local news sources, such as Lincoln’s CBS affiliate KOLN.

The incident unfolded on a Sunday morning, shortly before noon, prompting a swift response from the York Police Department. According to reports, a city 911 dispatcher informed the officers en route that a man, believed to be Eckman, was claiming responsibility for the fire.

The urgency of the situation led to the immediate evacuation and temporary closure of the Walmart store as firefighters worked to control the flames.

The store had to be evacuated and closed as the flames burned.

Officers located Eckman near dumpsters on the property and arrested him.

When law enforcement interviewed the suspect, he allegedly confessed to knowing people were inside the store and took information about the shoppers” locations into account when he began the inferno, local ABC affiliate KHGI reported.

The defendant also mentioned details about the fire that only people who had seen it would know, authorities said.

The resulting conflagration destroyed nearly $15,000 in merchandise, according to police, which apparently did not take into account damages to the store itself.

Law enforcement asked the public to share any information they had on Eckman or the moments surrounding the fire.

The store was reopened on Wednesday.

Eckman was booked into the York County Jail on a $2,500 bond and had his first appearance in court on Wednesday.

York is located in the eastern part of the Cornhusker State, about 50 miles west of Lincoln.